By KT Reporter
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) on Wednesday evening intercepted a truck carrying 200 cartons of smuggled Supermarch cigarettes from South Sudan, destined for Kampala. The operation followed a tip-off from a community member, who alerted URA after the truck allegedly crossed into Uganda through Nyarit, a porous border point between Parombo and Panyimur.
The truck was later stopped at a checkpoint in Pakwach. According to URA officials, the driver, Njakojo Ezra, a resident of Masindi District, initially denied officers access to inspect the vehicle, raising suspicion. He was later arrested, and the vehicle was impounded to aid investigations.
Simon Tumwesigye, the Regional Manager for Enforcement and Border Control at URA, said the interception was successful despite the driver’s resistance.
URA valued the 200 cartons of contraband cigarettes at UGX 200 million, with an estimated tax loss of UGX 300 million. The exhibits were transferred to the URA head office in Nakawa under tight security. Smuggling remains a major challenge in the region, largely facilitated by numerous porous border points used by traders to evade taxes and transport unregulated goods. Tumwesigye said URA has intensified community sensitization as a strategy to curb the practice. He attributed the recent successes, including vehicle impoundments and confiscations of smuggled goods, to community vigilance and cooperation.
In April this year, URA also impounded contraband cigarettes worth UGX 150 million in a separate operation in Arua City.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
